Firefighters: Kids Hiding During Fires Not Uncommon After Girl's Rescue
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - A frantic mother called 911 for help as her Lakewood home went up in flames.
"We have a fire on our deck," the woman told dispatchers. "The house is filling with smoke."
Her 5-year-old daughter was trapped on the second floor.
West Metro Fire Rescue crews responded early Friday morning to the home near the 9900 block of West Vassar Way, where they found the little girl hiding in a closet.
"She told me she did not want to come with me because she was too scared," said West Metro Firefighter David Dame.
Dame was able to get the girl out safely, but says situations like there aren't that uncommon.
"When children get scared, they tried to hide," Dame said.
One year ago, Denver fire crews almost missed two young boys inside a burning home, all because they were hiding in an area that was hard to find.
Dame says it's important for parents and their kids to have a plan.
"They should know two different ways to get out of the house if possible," said Dame.
He also says families should establish a safe space early on.
"They need to have a meeting place for their parents, whether it's a mailbox out front, or the neighbors front porch," Dame said. "It's a big deal that they know what to do when something goes wrong."
The cause of fire is still under investigation.
The little girl and her father were taken to Swedish Medical Center for smoke inhalation.
Andrea Flores is a reporter for CBS4. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @AndreaFloresTV.